Something Fishy?

Thousands of dead fish wash up on shores of Chilean river, baffling experts.

18:03 14 April 2016

Experts were baffled as thousands of dead sardines were found floating along the shores of Queule River in southern Chile. The bizarre phenomenon is now being investigated by scientists.

 

During the weekend, Chilean health authorities have started removing tons of sardines, loading them on to boats and a crane fork. 

 

Fisherwoman and Queule neighbourhood leader, Victoria Benavente, said the situation was critical.

"The situation is critical. I think that today, is the fifth day and the government should've declared a disaster area. The health part is tremendous, children should not have classes, headaches are immense,"

 

The leader of Queule Cove fishermen, Hernan Machuca, said more local government workers were needed to remove the dead fish.

 

"Experience tells us that if we have already collected a thousand tons, at least here in the river (Queule) there are 10 thousand more.

 

"And that entails a lot of hours working. It means it can't be possible they hired 50 people to solve this problem. It can't be there are four to five boats.

 

"The government here has to declare the inlet of Queule and its surroundings a health catastrophe zone,"